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Kelown Riding

This is such a fascinating topic in my eyes. I don’t recall too many people talking to me about it in the past, but I love how it comes out in the open now.

I feel horses are some of the most beautiful animals on the planet and should be appreciated for their gracefulness and how they move around. This is why riding horses outdoors is something I have always been passionate about, and I would head over to the local ranch to have a good time.

It was always something I did, and it was something a lot of people in my area enjoyed. I was talking to the guy who heads up a Minnesota outdoor blog (www.outdoorseasonliving.com) and he said there are lots of horse trails up that way.

If you are going to be looking at this as a way to relax, you will enjoy the horses. The benefits of riding outdoors involve being able to move around with ease and just seeing the horse in action. You can control them as you like, and that is always a positive.

Plus, you can enjoy the setting itself when you are outdoors. It is something unique and something you will cherish far more than other experiences in your life. This is why I think everyone should give it a shot at least once.

Participating in horse riding competitions can be a lot of fun. Before you get started, however, there are some important basics that you need to master. Here are some tips for getting started with competition riding at any age:

1. Learn the terminology. Understanding the basic terminology of horseback riding will make it easier to communicate with an instructor or learn essential skills. There are quite a few different websites online that offer vocabulary list related to horseback riding. Before you begin, review these lists to make sure you understand all of the words.

2. Take some lessons. No matter how advanced you are with horseback riding, there is always room for improvement. A good instructor can help analyze your technique and point out areas where you can improve. Even if you only take one or two lessons, you can get valuable tips that you can use to continue to hone your skills.

3. Decide what type of riding you want to specialize in. There are quite a few different types of competition riding ranging from dressage to show jumping or barrel racing. By choosing (more…)

Most people who own and ride horses are only interested in riding for enjoyment, but some choose to compete with at horse shows. While the most talented riders mounted on horses that are well-trained are able to garner the highest awards, 4-H and open shows offer classes for amateurs. Youngsters and beginner equestrians are able to hone their riding skills to prepare for a higher level of competition in their future.

While having the ability to properly ride a highly trained horse is the most important requirement for successful equestrian competition, getting the judges eye comes in at a close second. An impeccably groomed horse carrying a rider in an attractive turnout gets the judges attention so an outstanding performance will be noticed.

There are a lot of details that go into a competitive show performance, and preparation begins with proper care of the horse. A shiny coat and good grooming can make even a poorly conformed animal make a good impression on the judge. Young equestrians should learn the proper grooming techniques, and understand that the first step of upgrade is bathing their horse.

Using the proper equipment for each style of riding is essential for the best turnout. Western riding is a popular discipline for beginners since western style saddles offer the most secure seat. A saddle that correctly fits both the horse and rider is important, and the tack should be trimmed with at least a few touches of silver. The color of the riders clothing should compliment the color of the horse, and a bit of glitz doesn’t hurt in this department either.

The turnout of the English rider is considerably more subdued, although proper clothing and tack is still very important. While winning is thrilling to the young competitor, every rider can and should learn every time they enter the showring.

Horse riding competitions may look easier than some other sports, but boy can they be difficult. Especially when you move past the horse riding competition basics and on to the big stuff that you see on television where horses are jumping hurdles. Remember what happened to Christopher Reeve? That’s not to scare you about riding horses, but you need to realize at all times that you’re dealing with an animal bigger than you are.

My friends were always involved in horse shows, and horse riding was involved. However, it was mostly for the kids, and they were learning how to ride the horses around, showing them off. They weren’t jumping hurdles though of course.

One thing about horse riding is it’s much more than just the riding. You need a rapport with the horse, and you need to know how to mount a horse. You also need to (more…)

There are many types of competitive horse riding. They include fox hunting, barrel racing, dressage, show jumping, saddle seat equitation, trail riding, racing, reining and many other disciplines.

Competitions for these are held at all levels of ridership starting with amateur riders and going all the way to Olympic riders. The main reason for competition is fostering the horse’s athletic abilities as well as maximizing its ability to be a suitable riding partner for the person handling it.

The most basic need that must be fulfilled before taking up any type of competitive sport is to find a suitable horse. You could have a horse that you love a great deal, but he or she has to be at a certain level of health and build to be able to be considered for competitions.

You have to learn the basics of the discipline you are interested in and continue to advance in order to get more and more checks as a competitor. Some people enjoy competing for the pleasure of it while others are interested in breeding horses specifically for the goal of becoming champions. (more…)

It goes without saying that horseback riding is a pastime that is very enjoyable for many people, whether they are hands on or more involved as a spectator. This is a perfect opportunity to enjoy nature while enjoying the overall beauty and majesty of horses. If you are fairly new to horseback riding, you not only need to learn how to ride safely, but also understand all of the terminology. When horse riding competitions are something you are interested in, the more that you learn about the field, the more successful you are going to be.

You will find that there are a number of disciplines that are involved in many of the competitions today for all different age groups. Most followers of competitions are quite familiar with disciplines such as show jumping, Western or English style riding, dressage and even three day eventing. With eventing, you have a combination of a number of events to include cross country, show or stadium jumping and dressage.

If you have a child that is interested in horse riding competitions, you can start to look into some of the stables in your local area that offer lessons. In addition to the basics of horseback riding, your child will be able to learn all about the best gear to have and how to care for horses in general. This is a wonderful experience for anyone who has a love for these majestic animals and it is a very rewarding time for people of all ages.

The right trainer will be able to give you all of the insider information on the basics of horses and how to train and ride them. Overall, you will find that regardless of your age, you do have the ability to enjoy an incredible training and riding experience that will fill your lie with a wealth of memories.

Hello – my name is Lynn and I’m a horse afficianado. I ride as often as I can, and love my horse Pepper. We have competed in various cities around the midwest, and I thought I would write about my experiences, as well as explain some of the terms of horse riding. Stay tuned!